NDDB and IIT Kharagpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the event to facilitate collaboration in research, technology development, field validation, capacity building, post-harvest management, processing and value addition in the edible oils sector. The partnership will combine NDDB’s experience in farmer institutions, cooperatives, FPOs and field implementation with IIT Kharagpur’s expertise in research, technology, engineering, data analysis and post-harvest systems. The initiative will receive technical support from ICAR, BARC, KVKs and State Agricultural Universities. As part of the launch programme, seed minikits were distributed to participating farmers, marking the commencement of field-level interventions.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dilip Ghosh, Hon’ble Minister of Agricultural Marketing & Panchayats and Rural Development, Government of West Bengal, highlighted West Bengal’s goal to increase farmers’ income through oilseed cultivation, focusing on mustard, groundnut, sunflower and sesamum. The Agricultural Marketing Department will enhance farmers’ access to aggregation, storage, processing and marketing, which will reduce post-harvest losses and boost rural employment. While stressing the importance of strengthening milk production and quality, he indicated that the existing dairy cooperative network should integrate oilseed production to improve farmers’ livelihoods. The Hon’ble Minister highlighted the need to arrange training, loan assistance and insurance facilities for farmers.

Collaborations with cooperatives will empower small farmers with better bargaining power. The Hon’ble Minister mentioned that the NDDB-IIT Kharagpur partnership will provide affordable technologies and facilitate the procurement and marketing of edible oils. Praising NDDB’s expertise, Shri Ghosh stated that the people of West Bengal are waiting for NDDB to enhance the state’s agricultural infrastructure.

Appreciating the initiative for strengthening the edible oil value chain, Shri Ashok Kirtania, Hon’ble Minister of Cooperation, Food and Civil Supplies, Government of West Bengal suggested that a similar initiative could also be considered for pulses, noting that increasing domestic production would help reduce imports and benefit consumers. He said that the shared objectives of the Government of West Bengal and NDDB would ensure that the benefits of agricultural value chains reach farmers directly while reducing the role of intermediaries. The Hon’ble Minister also encouraged NDDB to develop reliable farmer-centric brands that can support producers in increasing their output and enable them to connect directly with markets and consumers.

Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, emphasised that strengthening domestic oilseed production and the associated value chain is a focussed area for NDDB. The Govt of India has accorded high priority to the sector under the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO). NDDB is undertaking interventions through dairy cooperatives and FPOs, drawing upon its experience in building farmer-owned institutions and its work in the oilseeds sector, including Operation Golden Flow, oilseeds cooperatives and the Dhara brand. He also cited the potential to integrate oilseed cultivation with dairy farming and allied activities. Utilisation of oilseed by-products, farm residues and dairy waste can promote circular-economy approaches, improve resource utilisation and diversify farm incomes. The launch of the initiative and the MoU marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration that will strengthen the edible oils value chain in the Eastern Region, promoting domestic oilseed production, aggregation, processing, value addition and market linkages through a farmer-centric and cooperative-led approach.

Similar initiatives are being undertaken as pilot programmes in Assam, Bihar and West Bengal through farmers associated with dairy cooperatives.

Delhi, 23^rd July 2026: The University of Leeds and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term strategic partnership focused on advancing interdisciplinary research, fostering academic collaboration, and accelerating innovation. Bringing together the strengths of two globally recognised institutions, the partnership aims to address pressing societal, technological, and economic challenges through research, education, and international engagement.

As part of the collaboration, the two institutions will establish a jointly funded seed fund supported by matched contributions of up to USD 50,000 from each institution. The fund will enable researchers to pursue pilot projects, test innovative ideas, and develop proposals for larger-scale national and international funding opportunities. The University of Leeds has already allocated and utilised its contribution to support the initial phase of collaborative activities under the partnership, while IIT Kharagpur has pledged its contribution for the current year.

The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration across research, education, and innovation. Both institutions will explore opportunities to develop joint undergraduate, postgraduate, and research-led teaching initiatives, providing students and researchers with access to diverse academic perspectives and international learning experiences.

The partnership will also support interdisciplinary research across a range of fields, encouraging collaboration on complex global challenges through joint projects and knowledge exchange. In addition, the institutions will promote faculty visits, student exchange opportunities, and research mobility programmes to strengthen academic engagement and foster deeper collaboration between researchers and educators.

Through the exchange of scholarly resources, scientific expertise, and institutional knowledge, the collaboration will create new opportunities for learning, discovery, and innovation. The two institutions will also work together to convene academics, industry leaders, and policymakers through conferences, workshops, and international forums, strengthening global networks and encouraging cross-sector engagement.

Building on their shared commitment to translating research into real-world impact, the University of Leeds and IIT Kharagpur will explore opportunities to strengthen research commercialisation, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration. The partnership may also support the development of innovation-focused initiatives in India that facilitate the application of research to societal and industrial challenges.

Talking about the partnership, Professor Vasilis Sarhosis, Director of Internationalisation, University of Leeds, said, “This partnership marks an exciting step forward for both institutions and highlights the value of international collaboration in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. By combining our strengths, we can drive world-class research, support talented students, and deliver real impact in tackling global challenges. We look forward to building a dynamic and enduring relationship with IIT Kharagpur that advances knowledge, fosters innovation, and creates opportunities for our academic communities in both the UK and India.”

Commenting on the importance of the partnership, Prof. Anandaroop Bhattachrya, Dean, International Relations, IIT Kharagpur[KN1] , said, “IIT Kharagpur has always believed that global partnerships are essential for advancing research excellence and creating transformative educational opportunities. This collaboration with the University of Leeds brings together complementary strengths and shared ambitions, enabling us to pursue impactful research, nurture talent, and strengthen innovation ecosystems. Through this partnership, we hope to generate new knowledge and foster solutions that contribute to societal and economic progress.”

At a time of growing collaboration between India and the United Kingdom across research, innovation, education, and trade, this partnership reflects the shared ambition of both institutions to strengthen academic ties and support the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two countries.

The partnership establishes a foundation for long-term collaboration between the University of Leeds and IIT Kharagpur, creating new opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty while strengthening academic and research ties between India and the United Kingdom. Through joint initiatives, academic mobility programmes, and collaborative research activities, both institutions aim to drive innovation, expand knowledge, and contribute to addressing global challenges.

यह यात्रा 6 अक्टूबर से 13 नवंबर 2025 तक चलेगी और इसमें 7 राज्यों के 15 शहरों के 29 संस्थान शामिल होंगे। इस यात्रा का मुख्य उद्देश्य ‘ओपन एक्सेस’ और ‘ओपन साइंस’ को बढ़ावा देना, शोध की ईमानदारी को मजबूत करना, ई-बुक्स के उपयोग को प्रोत्साहित करना, संपादकीय बोर्ड के सदस्यों की भर्ती में सहायता करना और शोध में विविधता व समावेशिता को बढ़ावा देना है।

स्प्रिंगर नेचर इंडिया के प्रबंध निदेशक श्री वेंकटेश सर्वसिद्धि ने आईआईटी खड़गपुर में इस पहल पर अपने विचार व्यक्त करते हुये कहा, ” आईआईटी-खड़गपुर भारत में अनुसंधान उत्कृष्टता का प्रतीक है। इंजीनियरिंग, प्रौद्योगिकी और अनुप्रयुक्त विज्ञान (एप्लाइड साइंस) के क्षेत्र में अपने अग्रणी कार्यों के समृद्ध इतिहास के साथ, यह संस्थान राष्ट्रीय और वैश्विक चुनौतियों के समाधान गढ़ने में निरंतर योगदान दे रहा है। इंडिया रिसर्च टूर के माध्यम से हमारा उद्देश्य आईआईटी खड़गपुर के शोधकर्ताओं के साथ सहयोग बढ़ाना, ज्ञान तक ओपन एक्सेस को प्रोत्साहित करना और ऐसा नवाचार विकसित करना है जो पश्चिम बंगाल राज्य सहित पूरे देश की प्रगति को नई दिशा दे सके।”

स्प्रिंगर नेचर द्वारा शिक्षा मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार के सहयोग से आयोजित इंडिया रिसर्च टूर 2025 का औपचारिक उद्घाटन 6 अक्टूबर 2025 को नई दिल्ली स्थित भारतीय सामाजिक विज्ञान अनुसंधान परिषद (ICSSR) में किया गया। तब से यह यात्रा उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार और झारखंड होते हुए कई प्रमुख शैक्षणिक संस्थानों तक पहुँची है। इस पहल का उद्देश्य शोध सहयोग को प्रोत्साहित करना, ज्ञान के आदान-प्रदान को सशक्त बनाना और शोध में उत्कृष्टता को बढ़ावा देना है। आईआईटी खड़गपुर में आयोजित सत्र के पश्चात अब यह टूर कोलकाता पहुँचेगा, जिसके बाद इसका अगला पड़ाव पूर्वोत्तर भारत के असम और अरुणाचल प्रदेश राज्यों में होगा।

भारत सरकार द्वारा वर्ष 2019 में “इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ एमिनेंस” का दर्जा प्राप्त करने वाला आईआईटी खड़गपुर न केवल भारत का पहला आईआईटी है, बल्कि यह तकनीकी शिक्षा और अनुसंधान के क्षेत्र में एक वैश्विक रूप से प्रतिष्ठित संस्थान भी है। इस संस्थान ने भारत के शोध पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र (research ecosystem) को आगे बढ़ाने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई है।

इंजीनियरिंग, प्रौद्योगिकी, अनुप्रयुक्त विज्ञान (एप्लाइड साइंस) और प्रबंधन जैसे विविध क्षेत्रों में अपने अभिनव और प्रभावशाली कार्य के लिए प्रसिद्ध आईआईटी खड़गपुर ने ऐसे शोध कार्य किए हैं, जिन्होंने न केवल राष्ट्रीय विकास में योगदान दिया है, बल्कि वैश्विक वैज्ञानिक प्रगति को भी दिशा दी है।

इंडिया रिसर्च टूर के तहत आईआईटी खड़गपुर में आयोजित संवाद का उद्देश्य यह जानना है कि यहाँ के शोधकर्ता भारत की विकास प्राथमिकताओं को पूरा करने और विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में नवाचार को आगे बढ़ाने में किस प्रकार योगदान दे सकते हैं।

इंडिया रिसर्च टूर 2025 के मुख्य स्तंभ:
• ओपन एक्सेस (Open Access) को बढ़ावा देना और वन नेशन, वन सब्सक्रिप्शन (ONOS) पहल के प्रति जागरूकता बढ़ाना।
• रिसर्च इंटीग्रिटी (शोध की सत्यनिष्ठा) और प्रकाशन क्षेत्र में आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस (AI) की भूमिका पर चर्चाओं को प्रोत्साहित करना।
• ‘हर रिसर्च, आवर फ्युचर’और ‘रिसर्च एंबेसडर प्रोग्राम’ जैसे पहलों के माध्यम से विविधता और समावेशन (Diversity and Inclusion) को बढ़ावा देना।
• ज्ञान के लोकतांत्रिकरण और उसकी सुलभता को सुदृढ़ बनाकर संयुक्त राष्ट्र के सतत विकास लक्ष्यों (UN SDGs) का समर्थन करना।
अपने व्यापक दायरे, पहुंच और उद्देश्य-केन्द्रित दृष्टिकोण के साथ, इंडिया रिसर्च टूर 2025 केवल एक आउटरीच पहल नहीं है, यह एक राष्ट्रव्यापी आंदोलन है जिसका लक्ष्य शोधकर्ताओं को सशक्त बनाना, सहयोग को प्रोत्साहित करना और भारत की “विकसित भारत” की यात्रा को गति देना है।